South Fowl Lake dam
South Fowl Lake
South Fowl Lake, located in Cook County, Minnesota, is a privately owned reservoir with a primary purpose designated as "Other." Built in 1934 by ARPEN CANADA, this gravity dam stands at 17 feet tall and spans 90 feet in length, providing a maximum storage capacity of 30,780 acre-feet. The dam's poor condition assessment in 2016 raises concerns about its long-term stability and maintenance, despite its low hazard potential.
Situated along the Pigeon River, South Fowl Lake covers a surface area of 1,440 acres and has a drainage area of 112.5 square miles. The reservoir's normal storage capacity is 18,468 acre-feet, supporting a variety of recreational activities and wildlife habitats in the surrounding area. While the dam is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, ongoing inspections and enforcement efforts are necessary to ensure its continued safety and functionality in the face of changing climate conditions.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find South Fowl Lake to be a fascinating case study of a historic infrastructure project facing modern challenges. As discussions around dam safety and maintenance continue to evolve, the future of this iconic gravity dam will depend on proactive risk management measures and community engagement. With its scenic location and important role in water management, South Fowl Lake remains a valuable resource for both local stakeholders and environmental conservation efforts in Minnesota.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around South Fowl Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeon River At Middle Falls Nr Grand Portage Mn | 130 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Fowl Lake.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About South Fowl Lake
Where does the data for South Fowl Lake come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card below for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.